Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
The din of battle was deafening. A chorus of metal against metal accompanied by shouts from all manner of creatures. Calls of anger mixed with cries of anguish because war did not discriminate between man or beast. Light or dark.
Above it all, a thunderous roar followed by an ear-piercing screech echoed across miles as three beasts had their own battle in the air. Clashing over the gates of Mordor, locked tooth and claw, fought two Nazgul mounts and a single dragon. Mounts left as guard dogs while the Nazgul left for Gondor. The dragon, alone in her battle, did everything she could to keep the upside-down creatures away from the King and their friends.
Towers collapsed as the ground below crumbled, but the beasts paid no heed. Wings beat relentlessly as muscles strained and tore in an effort to keep aloft. Leathery hide and coppery scales were littered with gashes, oozing blood from shredding bites. The misshapen form of the dragon is a stark contrast to the bred-for-battle Nazgul monsters.
Finally, they took notice of their surroundings as Mt Doom erupted. Ash bellowed into the air, blackening the already smoke covered sky further as lava rained down around them. A flaming chunk of molten rock smashed into one of the mounts, sending it careening to the fiery chasm below. Not seeing a way out, the copper armoured dragon steeled her nerves and grabbed the remaining mount with darkened claws, bloodied teeth sinking into its neck.
She had come to a hard conclusion. Her body was broken. Gaping wounds in her side and wings would never fully heal. She would never have the life she longed for. A life of peace in the Shire, surrounded by a hoard of her own design. Not one of gold and jewels, but of love and friendship.
Her grasp on the wretched beast tightened, bringing her wrent wings in to send them plummeting into the molten canyon. She had to ensure her hoard, her boys, and her found family would survive. Even if it meant her death. The mount screeched, raking its claws over her arms and biting at her neck, but still she held on. As they crashed into the lava, a warm and heavy feeling settled over the dragon.
Almost as if she were falling asleep.